Grupo Nutresa posts 42.2% EBITDA growth in Q1 2026

By AI, Created 4:51 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Grupo Nutresa said first-quarter 2026 EBITDA rose 42.2% to COP 1.04 trillion, with a 20.0% sales margin, as revenue climbed 6.6% to COP 5.2 trillion. The results were driven by higher volumes, price increases and stronger performance in Colombia and several international markets.

Why it matters: - Grupo Nutresa’s first-quarter results show stronger profitability even as sales growth remained moderate. - The company’s margin expansion suggests cost control, pricing power and hedging helped offset currency pressure and other expenses. - The performance matters because the group is one of Colombia’s largest food companies and its results can signal demand trends across food categories and regions.

What happened: - Grupo Nutresa reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of COP 5.2 trillion, up 6.6% from the same quarter of 2025. - Reported EBITDA reached COP 1.04 trillion, up 42.2%, with a sales margin of 20.0%. - Adjusted EBITDA, excluding non-recurring expenses, was COP 1.06 trillion, up 43.4%, with a 20.4% margin. - Net income adjusted for non-recurring expenses and unrealized foreign exchange differences was COP 343,017 million, up 12.1%. - Reported net income, including non-recurring expenses and foreign exchange differences, was COP -15,336 million. - The company released the results on May 11, 2026, from Medellín, Colombia.

The details: - Grupo Nutresa said volume growth of 2.5% and average price increases of 4.0% helped drive revenue. - Sales in Colombia totaled COP 3.3 trillion, up 14.3% year over year. - Colombia sales measured in U.S. dollars reached USD 887.8 million, up 29.5%. - In Colombia, Ice Cream led business-unit growth at 31.5%. - Coffee sales in Colombia grew 27.2%. - Biscuits and Snacks sales in Colombia rose 25.4%. - Six of the group’s eight business units posted double-digit growth in Colombia. - International sales reached USD 517.9 million, up 8.3% from a year earlier. - International sales translated to COP 1.9 trillion, down 4.4% because the local currency appreciated 11.8% against the dollar. - International growth was led by Biscuits and Snacks at 15.3%, Pasta at 12.6% and Coffee at 10.3%. - Chile, Ecuador and Peru posted double-digit growth internationally. - The company said hedging strategies and optimization of costs and expenses also supported margin expansion. - In the separate financial statements of Grupo Nutresa S.A., net operating income was COP 6,653 million. - Of that amount, COP 6,261 million came from investments in food companies accounted for under the equity method. - Another COP 392 million came from dividends from the investment portfolio. - Separate-statement net income/loss was COP -15,448 million. - The consolidated and separate income statements, the financial position as of March 31, 2026, and related indicators are part of the report.

Between the lines: - The quarter shows a clear split between operating performance and bottom-line earnings after accounting items. - The reported net loss suggests non-recurring expenses and foreign exchange differences still weighed on results, even as core operations improved. - Margin gains also indicate Grupo Nutresa is benefiting from a mix of pricing, volume and expense discipline rather than growth alone.

What’s next: - Grupo Nutresa said it will keep investing in its brands, with a focus on innovation, affordability and long-term value creation. - Future results will show whether the company can sustain margin strength if currency conditions or non-recurring charges change. - Investors will likely watch whether the company converts stronger operating profit into consistent reported net income.

The bottom line: - Grupo Nutresa started 2026 with stronger sales and sharply higher EBITDA, but reported earnings were still dragged down by one-time items and foreign exchange effects.